My Redeemer Lives

“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives…” These words were spoken by a man who suffered more than any of us have suffered, I would say. They are the words of Job 19:25. Job is the man in the Bible that should make us ashamed for ever complaining about anything. Just in this chapter (Job 19), listen to the things he had suffered: “Know then that God has wronged me and has closed His net around me. Behold, I cry, ‘Violence!’ but I get no answer; I shout for help, but there is no justice. He has walled up my way so that I cannot pass, and He has put darkness on my paths. He has stripped my honor from me and removed the crown from my head. He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone; and He has uprooted my hope like a tree. He has also kindled His anger against me and considered me as His enemy. His troops come together, and build up their way against me and camp around my tent” (Job 19:6-12). Have you ever felt like that…like God had done all of these things to you or that He had caused you to suffer like you have?

Job also says: “He has removed my brothers from me, and my acquaintances are completely estranged from me. My relatives have failed, and my intimate friends have forgotten me. Those who live in my house and my maids consider me a stranger. I am a foreigner in their sight. I call to my servant, but he does not answer; I have to implore him with my mouth. My breath is offensive to my wife, and I am loathsome to my own brothers. Even young children despise me; I rise up and they speak against me. All my associates abhor me, and those I love have turned against me. My bone clings to my skin and my flesh, and I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth. Pity me, pity me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has struck me. Why do you persecute me as God does, and are not satisfied with my flesh?” (Job 19:13-22). “Pity me, pity me” is a good title for the way we feel sometimes, isn’t it?

Well, not very long after saying all this, Job makes the comment that led off this note of encouragement. Yes, Job suffered and suffered terribly. Yes, you and I have suffered and some of us have suffered terribly. Are we still willing to say, along with Job, I know that my Redeemer lives? Job was! Then he said, ““Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; Whom I myself shall behold, and Whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!” (Job 19:26, 27). Even after all we’ve suffered; even as bad as suffering on this earth can get, there is still the promise that one day we will see Him Who gave His Son to die for us! My heart faints, too!

I hope the realization that one day you can stand before God and be welcomed into the joy of your Master is reason for you to begin this week with a happy heart and not a heavy one. There are many people in this world who begin every day with a heavy heart. No one has to! Every faithful Christian has reason to rejoice this morning. “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). Things may not go just exactly like you would like for them to today or this week. Still, God is in charge and that is reason to rejoice. Just think. He may have something in mind for you this week that’s far greater than you could have imagined. So, have a great week and know that the Creator of the universe loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates

Fear Not, Stand Still, Be Quiet, and Watch!

Sometimes when we’re walking down the straight and narrow path, just when it seems things are getting really good in life, suddenly all the wheels come off at once. You immediately think of James 1:2, 3 or 1 Corinthians 10:13 and say, “Lord, I know I’m supposed to be joyful right now, but I just don’t see how this time,” or “I know You said You would provide a way of escape, but I don’t see any way out of this.” It always seems that these things happen at the worst of times. That’s because there are no good times for disaster!

A great lesson can be learned by listening to Moses’ words to the children of Israel when they were convinced that the Egyptian army was about to kill them all. In Exodus 14:13, 14 we read: “But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.’” When God says, “Fear not!” He usually has something big in mind. Moses knew ahead of time that Og, king of Bashan, would not destroy the Israelites (Numbers 21:33-35). This is how it would be in every battle (Deuteronomy 20:1-3). However, like so much of God’s law, this was conditional (see Joshua 7:2-5, 8-12). The same is true today. We already know Who is going to win (Romans 8:31-37), but it’s still conditional (2 Corinthians 13:5).

When God says, “Stand still!” we had better do things His way. Impatience will get us into trouble every time. Just look at Abraham and Ishmael (Genesis 16). God’s priests were to stand patiently and wait on God to stop a flooding Jordan River (Joshua 3:8). Receiving strength from God depends on waiting patiently on Him (Isaiah 40:31). Patience is necessary to receive the promise (Hebrews 10:36).

It’s also important not to sound your own horn! He says, “Be quiet!” God says not to worry about our enemies or the things that threaten us; He is the Victor (Isaiah 7:1-6). Moses, who is said to have been more humble than anyone else (Numbers 12:3) was not interested in glory; only in serving his God (Exodus 32:9-14).

Now, “Watch!” Behold the power and majesty of God!! The goodness of God is visible today (Psalm 27:13); we see answered prayers, the awesome evidence of creation, etc. We are invited to see His works (Psalm 66:5). It has all been plainly visible for quite some time (Romans 1:20).

Read 2 Kings 6:8-18. When we enter into life’s battles, they can quite often be pretty scary (2 Chronicles 20:1-7). Whenever we do battle in this world, we’ve got to make sure whose side we’re on. If we find ourselves against the Lord, we need to change sides quickly. If we find ourselves on the Lord’s side, notice what will happen: “Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph; and he said, ‘Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.” Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them for the Lord is with you.’ …they rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.’ When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.’ When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely; and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Mount Seir, they helped to destroy one another. When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude, and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped” (2 Chronicles 20:14-17, 20-24).

There will be times when you come out the winner and you have no idea how it happened that way. Give thanks to God Almighty and know that He loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates